The BFBB has announced that an exciting new project designed to increase participation in brass band music making is being attempted as part of the 2012 Cultural Olympiad.

Innovative

They hope it will provide brass musicians, and conductors, of all ages, with the opportunity to perform a new music commission in an innovative new way.

‘Brass the Baton’ is a relay race involving five conductor’s batons, each representing one of the five Olympic rings and coloured accordingly.

Five batons

Starting in Europe in May at the European Brass Band Championships each baton will be passed by participating bands/ensembles across the UK and internationally, until they reach their final destination- the London 2012 Festival in July.

Groups and organisations will be invited to take part and five unique routes will be mapped out for each baton before the start.

I congratulate everyone involved in Brass The Baton for securing the Inspire mark and wish you every success with your workLord Coe

Youth

One baton will be passed by youth/training/beginner bands, whilst another is to be assigned to travel through Europe and possibly around the world.

Part of the Olympic Inspire Programme, the relay race will last for at least 10 weeks providing 350 potential performance days where organisations be encouraged to find the most innovative way of performing with, and passing on, one of the batons.

Inspire

The concept has been developed by the BFBB working in collaboration with Rambling Brass and has recently been granted the London 2012 Inspire Mark, the badge of the London 2012 Inspire programme, which recognises exceptional and innovative projects inspired by the 2012 Games.

Lord Coe

Lord Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee said: "I congratulate everyone involved in Brass The Baton for securing the Inspire mark and wish you every success with your work."

Shared goal

Terry Luddington, BFBB Liaison Officer, told 4BR: "Brass The Baton is designed as a collaborative project with the shared goal of engaging as many brass band musicians, volunteers, audience members and young people as possible in order to leave a lasting legacy of increased participation in Brass Band music making for the future.2

More information:

If your band is interested in Brass the Baton, then please contact:
brassthebaton@mad4bb.com